The fire inside

Chapter 12

We all looked to the gate to the front yard and Trent's father was there. He looked angry and intimidating in all black with a large black sack thrown over his shoulder.

Trent moved between him and me and got into a defensive stance. "I'm not going to let you hurt her, dad,' Trent's words were almost a growl.

I looked over to the candle and luckily it was still lit. I didn't want to use my powers on the man that was like a father to me when my dad died, but I would if I had to.

"She's evil," he said. "I should have killed her when I had the chance."

Then everything happened so fast. Trent tensed then lunged, stopping the oncoming attack of his father. Then they were fighting. Not father and son fighting, real fighting. I watched in horror as punch after punch was thrown. I felt as though they were fighting to the death. Suddenly, Trent's father came flying toward me, landing several yards away. He gave me an evil look and started running at me. I ran toward the still lit candle and made a flame wall, stopping him in his tracks. He glared at my mother and grandmother and I made the wall larger to include them as well.

Trent suddenly tackled his father and pinned him down. "She's not evil!" he yelled at his father. "I know her. She would never hurt anyone." He looks at me sweetly. "I love her."

"How can you love such a disgusting creature?!" his father yelled looking at me as if I were a parasite. "She deserves to die."

The look he gave me and the words he said hurt me deeply. This man that I had looked up to as a child, that was there for me when my own father died. How could he hate me so much. I wanted to scream, cry and run away, but I would not do any of that in front if this man. Instead I let my flame wall return to its tiny flickering candle flame, walked into the house and went to my room. Then I laid in my bed face down and sobbed into my pillow and soon I was fast asleep.

***

I awoke to someone shaking me softly, it was Trent. "Time to wake up, Ellie Belly," he said sweetly.

I reluctantly opened my eyes. "Do I have to?" I asked groggily.

He chuckled. "Yes. It's time for breakfast and you didn't have dinner or lunch yesterday."

I thought back to yesterday and felt the tears stinging my eyes. How could Trent's father hate me so much? Why did he want me dead?

Suddenly Trent pulled me into his arms. "Don't think about it, Ellie. He's gone and won't bother you anymore." He kissed my head and rocked me until I pushed him away.

"I need to get changed and take a shower," I said, rubbing my eyes.

"Okay. I'll give you a few." As he stood I grabbed his hand and he looked at me questioningly.

"Can you wait for me, here?" I didn't want him to leave.

"Sure Ellie," he said smiling.

"Thank you." I kissed his cheek and ran into the bathroom. I quickly took a shower, got dressed and brushed my teeth, then I walked back into my room pulling a brush through my hair.

"Here," Trent said holding out his hand for the brush. "Let me." He took the brush and started brushing my hair slowly. "It's been a while since the last time I brushed your hair."

"I know," I said closing my eyes and relaxing. "I use to love when you brushed my hair."

"You use to beg me to do it." he chuckled a little then finished brushing my hair. "There. All done."

"Thanks Trent." I stood and kissed him softly. "You're the best."

"Anytime, Ellie belly."

I hugged him tightly for a moment then took his hand. "Lets go eat. I'm starving."

He chuckled and squeezed my hand. "Sure thing, Ellie Belly." He kisses my cheek and we went down stairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning, sleepy head," my mom joked. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded. "Very." My stomach yelled at me and I giggled. "But I'm starved."

"Good," she laughed and held out a plate full of all sorts of breakfast food; scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, pancakes and hash browns. "All your favorites."

I smiled. "Thanks mom!" I said excitedly. I sat at the table and started devouring the delicious food in front of me.

"Hey," Trent said grabbing the fork from my hand. "Slow down there, tiger. You don't want to make yourself sick, do you?"

"Trent's right, Ellie," my mom chimed in. "We don't need you getting sick all over the kitchen."

"Okay, mom," I sighed. "Can I have my fork back?"

"Sure," Trent said handing me my fork back.

I slowly finished my breakfast while I talked with my mom, grandmother and Trent.